JACKSON, Miss. -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has proposed penalties totaling $123,400 against two companies in Vicksburg, Miss., for 47 serious safety violations. The department proposed penalties of $118,300 against Cappaert Manufactured Housing Inc. for 43 serious violations and $5,100 against C&D Builders Inc. for four serious violations.

Cappaert employs 170 people and designs and constructs manufactured housing and mobile homes. C&D Builders employs 12 people who install roofing and siding at the Cappaert facility.

Inspectors visited the manufacturing facility in January 2007 as part of OSHA's Site-Specific Targeting Program, which targets the nation's most hazardous workplaces for inspection based on their histories of having high numbers of injury and illness cases. Cappaert had been previously inspected three times since 1989 with each inspection resulting in citations being issued against the company.

"The large proposed penalty for Cappaert Manufactured Housing and the penalty for C&D Builders reflect the companies' inadequate safety program and numerous safety violations," said Clyde Payne, OSHA's Jackson area director. "It is important that all employers pursue safety proactively and not wait for OSHA inspectors to discover problems."

The companies have 15 working days from receipt of the citations to contest them and the proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The site was inspected by staff from OSHA's office in Jackson, 3780 I-55 North, Suite 210; telephone (601) 965-4606.

OSHA's mission is to assure the safety and health of America's working men and women by preventing injuries, illnesses and fatalities. The agency has a vigorous enforcement program, having conducted more than 38,000 inspections last year and exceeding its inspection goals in each of the last seven years. In fiscal year 2006, OSHA found nearly 84,000 violations of its standards and regulations.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to assure the safety and health of America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.

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